Focus on the Giving

Tuesday night my boys and I worked together to fill three shoeboxes to send to Operation Christmas Child. I want this Christmas to be about giving more than any others, because I think it's important for those of us who have so much to share with those who have so little. I know that my perspective has been greatly affected by my Compassion trip earlier this year (see archived posts from May 12-18, 2008).

As we got ready to head to the store the boys asked, "While we're getting stuff for the shoesboxes, can I get something at the store, too?" My immediate thought was that they could if they spent their own money. Going to the store is a rarity for our boys because they have a mother who hates to shop! But then I thought again and told the boys that this wasn't a trip where they could get something for themselves. This was a trip completely to bless someone else and I didn't want them to be distracted by their own wants.

It proved to be a wonderful evening of working together to bless someone else. What are you doing this holiday season to focus on the giving more than the receiving? I'd love to hear about it!

Truth

Every other week I do what I call my "Quiet Day." It's a day that I go somewhere away from the house just to have time talking with God and reading his word. I also love to use different resources that help me examine my heart, my motives, and my actions. Jane Rubietta's books Come Closer, Resting Places, and Quiet Places are three of my favorites. I also used Ruth Haley Barton's book Silence and Solitude last year. It was a great book to help me dig deep.

My friend Becky has really turned me on to reading in The Message which is a paraphrased Bible. I'm finding it really brings life to God's truth. Today I found this in my reading and I wanted to share it with you!

The revelation of GOD is whole and pulls our lives together.
The signposts of GOD are clear and point out the right road.
The life-maps of GOD are right, showing the way to joy.
The directions of GOD are plain and easy on the eyes.
GOD's reputation is 24-carat gold, with a lifetime guarantee.
The decisions of GOD are accurate down to the nth degree.

God's Word is better than a diamond,
better than a diamond set between emeralds.
You'll like it better than strawberries in spring,
better than red, ripe strawberries.

Psalm 119:7-10

12 Days of Christmas Webcast--Free registration!

I want to share with you today about an upcoming webcast I'm going to be participating in! 2009 will be a year that Hearts at Home will test the waters with some webcasting so we can provide encouragement to moms year-round and reach women all over the world.

When I was asked to be a part of this webcast being produced by a brand new resource called WebTV4Women, I knew I wanted to give it a try. I'll admit that recording my message in front of a video camera was quite different than speaking to a live audience, but I'm excited about the possibilities!

This Christmas webcast is a free event and I want to invite you to join in on the fun! Every day for 12 days you'll receive an email link to watch a 5-15 minute video from the speaker of the day. On December 9, you'll have the option of joining in on a live, interactive webcast that will top off the 12 days of encouragement that will prepare your heart for Christmas. Not only that, but anyone who registers also receives a free downloadable Holiday Organizer!

Click on the graphic below to register for this free seminar today!

Dream Maker or Dream Taker?

I'm writing this post from a hotel room in Columbia, Missouri. I traveled here today with four teenagers...what was I thinking?

Four weeks ago, our 17-year-old daughter, Erica, told me that she and her friend Elizabeth wanted to give their boyfriends an early Christmas gift. Their favorite group was giving a concert in Columbia, MO and the girls wanted to surprise the boys with tickets.

Columbia, Missouri is a 4-1/2 hour drive from our home in Central Illinois. With the concert taking place late on a Saturday night, the only logical way to make this work was to spend the night in Columbia...and that wasn't going to happen without a chaperon!

"Mom, would you please go with us to Missouri? It's the only way we can make this happen." Honestly, every part of me wanted to say no. November is already a month with a lot of travel and 9 hours in a car this weekend wasn't my idea of fun.

But I remembered something I wrote in my book My Heart's at Home. (Yes, even authors are convicted by their own words!) The question I asked was "Am I a dream-taker or a dream-maker?"

The logical, practical, want-to-make-life-as-easy-as-possible me can easily be a dream-taker. "Mom, can we go play in the snow?" "No, it's too much of a mess." "Mom, can I move the furniture around in my room?" "No, it's too much of a hassle." "Mom, can we go to a concert that's 4 hours away and will require an overnight stay in a hotel and a chaperone to make it happen?" "No, that's ridiculous. You can't do that."

But this time I thought before I answered and talked it over with my husband. How often does she ask for something like this? Not often, we admitted. How many more years will we have her at home? Fewer than we realize. Is there really any reason to say no? We determined there wasn't so we said yes...and since Mark has to preach on Sunday mornings the chaperoning was left up to me.

So we made the trek. They're at the concert and I'm alone in a hotel room. Honestly, that's kind of nice for me! And truthfully, I've enjoyed being with the four of them today! They are four seniors who are ready to take on the world as they enter adulthood! Their thoughts are refreshing, their humor engaging, and their conversations are stimulating. I'm blessed because I said yes.

Are you a dream-maker or a dream-taker? I invite you to join me in becoming more of a dream-maker and enjoying this fleeting season of parenting to the fullest!

Friday's Quote of the Week

A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove. But the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child.

~Author unknown

All in a days work

Today I just found joy in the simple, yet diverse tasks of mothering. There was the usual laundry, making dinner, and checking homework. But today it was two of my older kids that needed my encouragement and time.

After making new curtains for her bedroom this weekend with her grandmother, 17-year-old Erica decided to use the leftover "zebra" material and create a new purse. Erica used to think she wanted to be a fashion designer. She's now decided to pursue cosmetology school beginning in January, but she still has the ability to envision a creation in her mind, sit down at the sewing machine, and make a new creation. I'm amazed because she doesn't get her sewing skills from me. I have the know-how (thanks to several years of 4-H and a seamstress mother), but I don't enjoy it like she does!

Then this evening Evan wanted to move his piano to the apartment where he and his new wife live. The apartment is actually the upper level of an older home and the steps up to their entrance are quite steep. With a couple of strong friends, and some ingenuity, we were able to get it up the steps and into the house. It was foggy outside and the fog came out uniquely in the photographs!

We made it! There was quite a sense of accomplishment after that task!

And a sense of accomplishment for this mom, who is seeing the fruits of her efforts as her older children work independently, live independently, and grow into mature, loving, respectful, responsible (most of the time!)adults.

Videos I Want To Share Day 5

It's Hearts at Home weekend in Minnesota! We have over 2,000 moms registered and walk-in registration is still available. For those of you who can't join us at a conference, I'm bringing a little bit of Hearts to you today.

This video is from our 2008 Hearts at Home conferences. It was written and performed by author and speaker, Karen Ehman. I think you'll be able to relate!

Videos I Want To Share Day 4

This video was one I showed at the 2007 Hearts at Home conferences. Our theme was "Extreme Home Makeover" and I gave everyone a video tour of the Savage home and places I'd love to do a makeover of some kind. I think you'll find my house is just like yours in many ways!

Videos I Want To Share Day 3

This video is a powerful reminder that the advertising media doesn't always tell us the truth. If you have pre-teen and teenage daughters, you might want to share this with them. We can't compare ourselves to what we see in magazines, on television, and on billboards because it's not real!

Check this video out to see what I mean!

Videos I Want To Share Day 2

Here are some new Hearts at Home promotional videos. You can download these and show them to your moms group or church to organize a group to come to a Hearts at Home conference.

Some of you have asked if Hearts at Home will come to your area. We have as many conferences as we can currently handle (IL, MI, MN, and Europe), but we are working on some new technological processes that can bring the conference to you via the web. Stay tuned for more info!

Videos I Want To Share

The next few days I'm going to share some videos that I love. This first one is one my son showed me after the college ministry he leads worship for did it at one of their worship services. It's very powerful! Be prepared to be moved at Jesus' incredible love for you.

Friday's Quote of the Week

Home is where your story begins.

~Annie Danielson

Things I want to share...Day 6

Check out the Family Life Mom Blog...it's a great resource for moms!

Things I want to share...Day 5

Check out the Hearts at Home blog. There's great mothering encouragement to be found there!

Things I want to share...Day 4

Check out what Ken Davis posted after the Michigan Hearts at Home conference! Click here to read.

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Redefining Vogue: Third Time's a Charm!

In my first post about the mother-daughter seminar Redefining Vogue that will take place this Saturday in Zion, IL, the links didn't show up in the post.

When I corrected it and sent out the links, the website went down and is now only displaying an error message.

Needless to say, the conference organizers are puzzled and are trying to figure out why the website isn't working (can you say "spiritual warfare?").

The link to actually register online is working however, so if you are one of the women who has communicated interest but have been unable to get to the website you can go to http://redefiningvogue.eventbrite.com/ and register online. I just went there and it does work! Also their blogspot address does work to see the full website and it is http://www.redefiningvogue.blogspot.com/. Pre-registration (at the reduced rate) goes thru tomorrow.

Things I want to share...Day 3

You can still sign up for the North Central Hearts at Home conference in Rochester, Minnesota, November 7-8! Due to the challenging economic situation for all of us, we are waving the late registration fee! If there's any way for you to join us, register today at www.hearts-at-home.org.

Tell any of your mom friends who live in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, and even northern Illinois!

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Things I want to share...Day 2

I'm going to give Twitter a try! If you are a Twitter fan, you'll find my Twitter info on my actual blog to the right of this post. If you have no idea what Twitter is, you can learn more at www.twitter.com.

Day 1--Part B

When I posted about the Redefining Vogue conference, the hyperlink didn't show up. Thank you to those of you who emailed me and asked for more info. If you would like to check out the event just click here.

Things I want to share...Day 1

Today starts a series of posts about things I want to share with you so you are in the know, can join in on the fun, or just because...

Today I want you to know about a seminar I'll be speaking at on Saturday, Nov 1 in Zion, IL. Redefining Vogue is an seminar for mothers and daughters about God's Design for You, Your Body, and Relationships. It is being held at North Point Church in Winthrop Harbor, IL.

If you live close enough to get to this seminar (about 1 hour north of Chicago), bring your 6th grade or older daughter and join us for a great day of girl talk!

Friday's Quote of the Week

Charity should begin at home, but should not stay there.

~Phillip Brooks

And The Winners Are....

Ok, this has really been a fun contest! Some of you are wild women!

Rather than selecting the winner randomly, I decided to select on "wild-ness." And I couldn't just select one...I selected 8!!!

That's right...there are 8 of you who get to select one of these marriage resources of your choice:

1) a signed copy of my book, Is There Really Sex After Kids?,
2) a set of Marriage Love Notes,
3) a workshop CD of one of the following

• ABC's Of A Healthy Marriage
• Redefining Romance
• Love For A Lifetime
• Is There Really Sex After Kids?

So who are the winners? Drumroll please:

Cathy Letcher: :Limo Night
Natalie: Geocaching Fun
Debbie: A Private Showing
Heidi Lanett Mixon: Clothing (or lack thereof) Scavenger Hunt
DeEtte: Skinnydipping Surprise
Diane in KY: Outhouse Hanky Panky
Jenn: Kitchen Pantry Hanky Panky
The McDaniels: Lingerie Surprise with Mistaken Identity

If your name is listed above, please email me at jillannsavage@yahoo.com with your choice of prize and your mailing address and I'll send it right out to you!

Thank you to all of you who shared your fabulous marriage ideas! If you haven't had a chance to read the "comments" over the past week, you'll want to do so. They are such to inspire you to keep the "wild, impractical, but fun side"in your marriage!

Last day for Wild Side Contest!

Today's the last day for the Wild Side Contest! Share the most wild thing you've done in your marriage to be entered into the contest. It's most likely very impractical, but was alot of fun and a great investment in your marriage. I'll post the winner tomorrow!